Motor-starter.



PATENTED DEC. 20, 1904.

NoA 777,839.

E. R. CARGHOFF.

MTOR STARTER.

APPLIGATION FILED MAY 12, 1904.

NO MODEL.

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Eugen@ RCuriQhoW? B5 M LM UNTTED STATES Patented December 20, 1904.

PATENT OEEicE.

EUGENE R. CARICHOFF, OE EAST ORANGE, NE JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

MOTOR-STARTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 777,839, dated December 20, 1904.

Application lcd May 12, 1904. Serial No. 207,686.

To @ZZ wtmn t nza/,y concern:

Be it knownthat I, EUGENE R. CARIcHoFF, a citizenof the United States, residing' in the city of East Orange, county of Essex, and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Motor-Starters, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to controlling devices for electric motors, and especially to IO that class of controlling devices known as motor-starters.

The object of my invention is to simplify the construction and arrangement of a motorstarter which will be entirely automatic in its T5 action and will operate to cut out the steps of the starting resistance at a predetermined rate in a positive manner.

My invention consists of a plurality of separately-actuated contacts or switches controlling an electric circuit, preferably controlling` the sections of the starting resistance in a motor-circuit, the actuating-coils of said contacts or switches beingl successively connected in the controlled circuit each by the operation of the contact next in advance to produce an automatic progression of the contacts, together with independently-operated means for regulating the progression of said contacts.

The invention further comprises means for setting the regulating means in operation and a switch for primarily completing the controlled circuit, together with means for controlling this last-mentioned switch and regulating means from a distant point.

My invention also comprises other details of construction and ar1angement,wliich will be hereinafter described, and specilically pointed out in the appended claims.

The accompanying drawing shows diagram- 40 matically a motor-starter and its connections embodying the preferred form of my invention.

Referring'now to the diagram, M represents the motor to be controlled. The resistancesections R', R2, R3, and R4, which are cut into the motor-circuit as the motor is started and successively cut out as the motor accelerates, are controlled by the separately-actuated contacts or switches l, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Each of the actuating-coils 7, S, 9, and IO of the switches 5o Q, 3, 4, and 5, respectively, is of comparatively low resistance and is adapted to be connected in the motor-circuit in series with the motor by the action of the switch or contact next in advance. The switch or contact I, which primarily completes the motor-circuit, may be operated in any desired manner. In the diagram I have shown said contact operated by a relatively high resistance coil 6, connected in shunt to the motor and controlled from a 6o distant point by the switch or master-controller B. It will be seen that immediately after closing the first contact-namely, the contact l--the remaining contact will close in rapid succession if some regulating means for permitting' a progression at a predetermined rate is not provided. Any form of regulating means which will cause the contacts to close at a predetermined rate may be employed; but

I prefer to use the form of mechanical ob- 7o structing mechanism which will now be described.

Attached to the core of the coil 6 or operatively connected with the actuating means for the contact l is a rack ll, which engages a pinion l2, loosely mounted on the rotatable shaft 18. Carried by the pinion l2 is a pin 17, which engages one end, l5, of a spring I6, coiled about the shaft I3. The other end, 18, of said spring engages av pin 19, which is car- 8o ried by the collar I4, rigidly fastened to the shaft 13. It will thus be seen that as the core of coil is lifted to close the first switch the pinion I2 is rotated and the spring I6 placed under strain tending to rotate the shaft 13. This tendency to rotate is resisted and retarded by the action of the dash-pot D, which comprises the cylinder or cup 20, in which operates the piston 21, the rate of movement of which in an upward direction, and consequently the rate of progression of the contacts, is regulated by the adjustable valve 2P.

The piston is connected to the drum 23 by means of the chain 22, the drum 23 being' mounted rigidly on the shaft 13. As the shaft 13 rotates the obstructing devices or notched disks 7b, 8, 9b, and 10", which normally prevent the switches 2, 3, 4, and 5 from closing after their actuating-coils have been energized, are moved into a position to allow the projections 7 8, 9, and 10, carried by the cores of the switches 2, 3, 4, and to engage the recesses 7C, 8c, 9, and 10", respectively. This permits the switches to close at a predetermined rate, each switch completing the circuit of the actuating-coil of the next following switch. Furthermore, to prevent a toorapid cutting out of the starting resistance-- that is, to prevent an injurious flow of current through the motor while the latter is acceleratingl have provided an overload or checking magnet C, the actuating-coil 24 of which is connected in series with the motor in the motor-circuit and the core 25 of which is adapted to engagenotches formed in the collar 26, carried by the shaft 13. The engagement of the core 25 with one of the notches of collar 26 locks the shaft 13 against rotation, and thereby checks the progressive action of the contacts.

The operation of the motor-starter is as follows: Vhen the master-controller or switch B is closed, a shunt-circuit is completed from line L through the actuating-coil 6 and switch B to ground at Gr. Contact 1 is therefore closed, and the regulating means is set in operation by the winding up of spring 16. The motor-circuit thus completed may be traced as follows: from line L through the switch 1, the actuating-coil 7 of switch 2, resistance-- sections RQ R2, R3, and R", the coil 24 of the overload-magnet, and motor M, to ground at G. Coil 7 of the switch 2 is now energized, and said switch tends to close, but is prevented from doing so by the obstructing device 7 b until the shaft 13 is moved into such position that the projection 7 engages the notch 7 c and permits the core to move so as to close the switch 2. The closing of said switch 2 shunts the section R of the resistance through the actuating-coil 8 of the switch 3. The actuating-coil 8 is thereby energized and the switch tends to close, butis prevented from doing soby the obstructing device 8h until the shaft 13 rotates into such a position that the projection 8" engages the recess 8C. The switch 3 then closes, shunting the section R2 of the resistance through the actuating-coil 9 of the switch 4. The closing of this switch is retarded, as before described with reference to switches 2 and 3. When the switch 4 is closed, the resistancesection R3 is shunted through the actuatingcoil 10 of switch, which is prevented from closing until the shaft 13 moves into such position that the projection 10a engages the recess 10C. Then the switch 5 is closed, all the resistance is cut out and the motor is connected across the line in circuit with the seriesactuating coils of the switches and the actuating-coil of the overload-magnet C. These actuating-coils are of very low resistance and do not appreciably cut down the flow of current through the motor-circuit. lf at any time the current in the motor-circuit rises above a predetermined value, the overload-magnet C will operate to lock the shaft 13 against rotation to prevent further cutting out of the starting resistance until the counter electromotive force of the motor rises to such an extent that the current drops to its proper or predetermined value. rlhe regulating mechanism should be made adjustable, so that any desired rate of progression of the contacts of the niotor-starter maybe obtained. This l propose to accomplish by providing the dash-pot piston with an adjustable valve.

Although I have shown and described a specific arrangement of the contacts and connections therefor, l do not wish to be limited thereto, as many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and I aim in the appended claims to cover all such modifications.

That I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is#

1. In combination, an electric circuit, a plurality of separately-actuated contacts controlling said circuit, actuating-coils for said contacts successively connected in the controlled circuit each by the operation of the contact next in advance to produce an automatic progression of the contacts, indepeudently-operated means for regulating the progressive closing of said contacts, and a switch for primarily completing the controlled circuit.

Q. In combination, an electric circuit, a plurality of separately-actuated contacts controlling said circuit, actuating-coils for said contacts successively connected in the controlled circuit each by the operation of the contact next in advance to produce an automatic pro-v gression of the contacts, means for regulating the progressive closing of said contacts, means for adjusting said regulating means to obtain any desired rate of progression, and a switch for primarily completing the controlled circuit.

3. In combination, an electric circuit, a plurality of separately-actuated contacts controlling said circuit, actuating-coils for said contacts successively connected in said circuit in series with the contacts already operated, means for regulating the progressive closing of said contacts, a switch for primarily completing said circuit, and means for operating said switch and said regulating means.

4. l'n'combination, an electric circuit, a plu- IIO rality et separately-actuated contacts controlling said circuit, actuating-coils for said contacts successively connected in said circuit in series with the contacts already operated, means for regulating the progressive closing otl said contacts, a switch for primarily completing said circuit, an actuating-coil for said switch `and said regulating means, and a master controlling-switch forsaid last-.mentioned coil.

5. In combination, an electric circuit, a plurality oi' separately-actuated contacts controlling said circuit, actuating-coils for said contacts successively connected in said circuit in series with the contacts already operated, means for regulating the progressive closing of said contacts, a switch for primarily completing said circuit, means for operating said switch and said regulating means, and means for retarding the operation of said regulating means so as to obtain a predetermined rate of progressive vclosing of the contacts.

6. In combination, an electric circuit, a plurality of separately-actuated contacts controlling said circuit, actuating-coils for said contacts, each connected in said circuit by the operation of the contact next in advance, a switch for primarily completing said circuit, mechanical obstructing devices for preventing the closing o't' said contacts, and means for removing said mechanical obstructing devices so as to regulate the progressive closing of said contacts at a predetermined rate.

7. In combination, a plurality of resistancesections, a motor, a plurality of separatelyactuated contacts controlling said motor and resistance-sections, actuating-coils for said contacts, said coils being successively energized by each being included in circuit with said motor by the closing of the contact next in advance, a switch for primarily completing the circuit through the motor, and independently-operated means for regulating the progressive closing of said contacts at a predetermined rate.

8. In combination, a plurality of resistancesections, a motor, a plurality of separatelyactuated contacts for controlling said motor and resistance-sections, actuating-coils for said contacts, said coils being successively energized by each being included in circuit with said motor by the closing of the contact next in advance, a switch for primarily completing the circuit through the motor, independentlyoperated means for regulating the progressive closing of said contacts at a predetermined rate, and means located at a distant point for controlling said regulating means.

9. In combination, a plurality of resistancesections, a motor, a plurality of separately-actuated contacts for controlling' said motor and resistance-sections, actuating-coils for said contacts, said coils being successively energized by each being included in circuit with the motor by the closing of the contact next in advance, independently-operated means tor regulating the progressive closing ot' said contacts at a predetermined rate, a switch for primarily completing the circuit through the motor, an actuating-coil for said switch, and

master controlling-switch for said last-inentioned coil.

l0. In combination,a plurality oi' resistancesections, a motor, a plurality of separately-actuated contacts for controlling said motor and resistance-sections, actuating-coils for closing said contacts successively, certain or' said coils being energized by each being included in the motor-circuit in shunt to a resistance-section by the closing of the contact next in advance, a switch for primarily completing the motorcircuit through the resistance-sections, and independently -operated means tor regulating the progressive closing o't' said contacts at a predetermined rate.

l1. In a motor-control system, a motor, a plurality of resistance-sections adapted to be connected in circuit with said motor, a plurality o't' separately-actuated contacts controlling said resistance-sections, actuating-coils for said contacts, each connected in circuit with the motor by the operation of the contact next in advance, a switch for primarily completing the circuit of said motor, regulating means comprising mechanical obstructing devices for preventing the closing ol said contacts, and means for removing said obstructing devices so as to permit the progressive closing of said contacts at a predetermined rate.

12. In a motor-control system, a motor, a plurality of resistance-sections adapted to be connected in circuit with said motor, a plurality o't' separately-actuated contacts controlling said resistance-sections, actuating-coils for said contacts, each connected in circuit with the motor by the operation of the contact next in advance, a switch for primarily completing the circuit of said motor, regulating means comprising mechanical obstructing devices for preventing the closing ot' said contacts, means for removing said obstructing devices so as to permit the progressive closing of said contacts at a predetermined rate, and an overload device to prevent the movement of the regulating means and arrest the progressive action when the current in the motor- ,circuit rises above a predetermined value.

13. In a motor-control system, a motor, a plurality of resistance-sections adapted to be connected in circuit with said motor, a plurality of separately-actuated contacts controlling said resistance-sections, actuating-coils 'for said contacts, each connected in circuit with the motor by the operation oi' the contact next in advance, a switch for primarily TOO IIO

completing the circuit of said motor, regulatter-switch for controlling` said last-mentioned IO ingmeans comprising mechanical'obstructing' coil from a distant point.

devices for preventing the closing of said con- In Witness Whereol I have hereunto set my mets, means for removing said obstructing hand this 9th day of May, 190e.

5 devices so as to permit the progressive closing EUGENE R CARICHOFE o sznd contacts at a predetermined rate, an actuating-coil for operating,- sind regulating Vitnesses: means and for closing' the switch which pri- ROBERT TILEs'roN,

marily completes the motor-circuit, and a mas- LEO C. Foss. 

